Skype is coming to Outlook.com

The new Outlook.com will soon integrate Skype video calls, beginning with some users in the UK, and then the US. The migration of users from Windows Live Messenger to Skype always implied that the latter would also come to Outlook, which uses Messenger as its chat service.

Microsoft will gradually roll out Skype integration to all Outlook.com users while it is being improved, based on feedback from the small scale tests. Using Skype in Outlook.com will require a plug-in installed in your browser. As with the Messenger hand over, Skype will integrate your Messenger and Skype contacts, making them all available in your People tab.

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This is good news for Outlook.com users. There have been lots of changes to Microsoft services in recent months, with Hotmail finally retired and replaced by the new look Outlook, and the closure of Messenger. Bringing Skype to Outlook makes the service richer even if it won’t bring back all the features fans of Windows Live Messenger have lost.